Factories (Crane Drivers and Operators) Regulations

Factories Act

(Chapter 104, Sections 68, 77 and 102)

Rg 10

REVISED EDITION 1994

(30th March 1994)

[1st January 1994]

Citation

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Factories (Crane Drivers and Operators) Regulations.

Definitions

2. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires —

“crane” means a machine incorporating an elevated structural member or jib beneath which suspended loads may be moved vertically (whether upwards or downwards) or horizontally or both, either by slewing the machine, derricking the jib or by any other means not solely involving a travelling motion of the crane and includes a piling frame;

“mobile crane” means a crane mounted on a truck, crawler or on wheels and includes any crane of a type shown in the First Schedule;

“tower crane” means a crane which has a vertical or near vertical tower designed to be free standing up to a specified height, and includes any crane of a type shown in the Second Schedule.

Application

3.—(1) These Regulations shall apply to any factory in which a crane, mobile crane or tower crane is employed.

(2) The provisions of these Regulations shall be in addition to and not in substitution for or in diminution of any other requirements imposed by or under the Act.

Requirements before operating mobile or tower crane

4.—(1) No person shall operate a mobile crane or tower crane unless —

(a)	he has successfully completed an appropriate training course conducted by any of the institutions set out in the Third Schedule; or
(b)	he satisfies the Chief Inspector that he has the relevant experience in operating a mobile crane or tower crane and has passed a trades test approved by the Chief Inspector.

(2) No person shall employ or permit another person to operate a mobile crane or tower crane in a factory unless the person so employed or permitted satisfies the requirements of paragraph (1)(a) or (b).

(3) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall prohibit any person from driving a mobile crane in a factory if that person is a holder of a valid driving licence authorising him to drive a mobile crane of a class or description permitted by the licence, but he shall not operate the mobile crane unless he also satisfies the requirements of paragraph (1)(a) or (b).

Installation and testing of mobile or tower crane

5.—(1) Any person who installs any mobile crane or tower crane shall ensure that the crane is installed in accordance with the instructions contained in any manual issued by the manufacturer of the mobile crane or tower crane.

(2) The owner of any mobile crane or tower crane shall ensure that —

(a)	the crane is tested and certified safe for the operations for which it is intended by an approved person; and
(b)	the crane shall not be used unless it has been tested and certified in accordance with sub-paragraph (a).

Duties of operator of crane, mobile or tower crane

6. Any person operating a crane, mobile crane or tower crane shall —

(a)	not engage in any practice or manoeuvre which is not in accordance with safe and sound practice;
(b)	ascertain whether the ground conditions, in particular the ground surface on which the crane is to be operated, are safe for any lifting operation, and if he is of the opinion that it is not safe for any lifting operation, he shall report this to the lifting supervisor;
(c)	not use the crane for any operation for which it is not intended, including pulling or dragging a load;
(d)	not manoeuvre or hold any suspended load over any road or public area unless that road or area has been cordoned off;
(e)	ensure that any outrigger when it is required is fully extended and secured;
(f)	before the start of every shift, carry out operational tests on all limit switches under no load conditions before any lifting operation, and shall enter the results of such tests in a log-book;
(g)	ensure that any stationary truck and wheel mounted crane is adequately and securely blocked while it is on a slope;
(h)	not hoist any object if he is unable to ascertain the actual load of the object or if there is any obstruction in the path of manoeuvre; and if there is any such obstruction, he shall report this to the lifting supervisor at the site; and
(i)	report any failure or malfunction of the crane to the supervisor and shall make an appropriate entry in the log‑book of the crane.

Appointment and duties of lifting supervisor

7.—(1) Every occupier of a factory shall appoint a lifting supervisor who shall be responsible for all lifting operations of any crane, mobile crane or tower crane.

(2) Any lifting supervisor appointed under paragraph (1) shall —

(a)	co-ordinate all lifting activities;
(b)	check the load and riggings to ensure that the load can be lifted and removed safely by any crane, mobile crane or tower crane;
(c)	ensure that the ground conditions are safe for any lifting operation to be performed by any crane, mobile crane or tower crane;
(d)	ensure that any lifting activities are carried out in accordance with safe and sound practice; and
(e)	take all necessary measures to rectify any unsatisfactory or unsafe conditions reported to him by the crane operator.

Search within Legislation